Power generator integrated with bearing

Abstract

A bearing has a first ring (102) and a second ring (104) configured for coaxial rotation with respect to each other, and a generator for generating electric power in operational use of the bearing. The generator has a first arrangement (112) mounted in a fixed position with respect to the first ring, and a second arrangement (114) mounted in a fixed position with respect to the second ring. Each of the first arrangement and the second arrangement comprises one or more coils (122, 128) and one or more magnets (118, 120, 124, 126) arranged in a circumferential direction (116) of the rings. The generator is therefore configured to supply power to circuitry mounted so as to be stationary with a ring.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The invention relates to a bearing comprising a first ring and a second ring that are configured for coaxial rotation around an axis with respect to each other in a circumferential direction in operational use of the bearing, and further comprising a generator for generating electric power in operational use of the bearing. The invention also relates to a machine comprising a bearing and a generator.BACKGROUND ART[0002]A combination of a bearing and a generator for generating electric power, physically integrated with the bearing, is known in the art. The generator of such a combination is used for, e.g., powering electronic circuitry that has one or more sensors, accommodated at the bearing and configured for monitoring the condition of the bearing in operational use of the bearing. The electronic circuitry may comprise a transcoder and a memory for storing data that is representative of the sensor signals. The data can be read out from the memory at a l...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a bearing arrangement for a shaft that includes two magnetic arrangements. The first arrangement is fixed to one ring and the second arrangement is fixed to another ring. The rotation of the rings causes the magnetic arrangements to rotate relative to each other. The magnetic arrangements are positioned in a way that the first arrangement passes through the components of the magnetic field generated by the second arrangement, and the second arrangement passes through the components of the magnetic field generated by the first arrangement. This arrangement allows for easy power supply to circuitry fixed to either ring. The bearing also includes a seal made of a low-friction material, such as PTFE, which prevents electrical currents from damaging the bearing. The seal can also be used for mounting additional components. The patent also describes a configuration with only two magnetic arrangements, which reduces the cost compared to configurations with more magnetic arrangements. The magnetic arrangements are positioned in a way that they change the magnetic flux when they pass through the other arrangement, which results in a voltage induced in the magnetic arrangements. Increasing the number of magnetic arrangements can increase the power generated per revolution of the arrangements.

Problems solved by technology

A drawback of the known bearing with integrated generator is, therefore, that special measures have to be taken to supply power, generated at the specific ring, in a reliable manner to electronic circuitry accommodated at the other ring.

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